Texas

LLC, Business License, Incorporation

Texas remains one of our most popular states for incorporation and LLC formation. With the second largest population in the United States, Texas has a thriving business community. Some of the largest U.S. companies, including Exxon Mobil and Dell, maintain their headquarters in Texas. This state also services many small businesses, particularly in major industries like agriculture and information technology.

Incorporating in Texas

Many entrepreneurs choose to start a business and incorporate in Texas because it gives them access to natural resources, land, and a large population. Like other states, incorporating in Texas requires several steps. Failing to follow these steps can result in lengthy delays. When you incorporate in Texas, it often helps to hire service companies who understand the details of this process.

Forming a Corporation in Texas

Texas corporations are overseen by a state government agency called the Corporations Section of the Office of the Secretary of State. incorporate.com will submit your paperwork and payments to this agency, which is frequently referred to as the Section. If you need to obtain additional licenses, then you should contact the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Cost to Incorporate in Texas

The overall cost to incorporate a business in Texas depends on several factors. A certificate of formation for a Texas for-profit corporation, for instance, has a $300 filing fee. Texas nonprofit corporations, however, only have to pay a $25 fee. incorporate.com includes these Texas incorporation fees within the package price that you select.

Filing for Your Certificate of Formation in Texas

A Texas corporation is created by filing a Certificate of Formation. incorporate.com will file this form on your behalf with the information that you provide to us. Before you can form your corporation, you need to file for a certificate of incorporation in Texas. To complete this certificate, you will need to provide several pieces of information, including the name of your organization, its mission, and the names of at least two directors.

Ready to get started? Before you begin, be sure to appoint a Texas Registered Agent to receive service of process and official correspondence on behalf of your company.

Texas Corporation FAQ

How to incorporate in Texas?

There are several steps to incorporating in Texas. The most basic steps are as follows:

Choose a name that meets Texas regulations and is not registered to any other organization.

File Texas articles of incorporation.

Have a meeting to establish your organization's bylaws.

Obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number.

Get all of the business licenses and permits that you need.

Submit your corporation's first report.

What are the benefits of incorporating as a nonprofit?

Nonprofits have several benefits when they incorporate in Texas. Texas nonprofit articles of incorporation can establish an organization that pays fewer taxes than for-profit companies. Nonprofits also benefit from a lower filing fee. People and organizations that donate to nonprofits approved by the IRS may also benefit from paying lower taxes.

Forming an LLC in Texas

If you plan to form a Texas LLC, then you will need to know how to prepare for the application process. incorporate.com will use the information that you provide to us and submit the Texas LLC application online to the Texas Office of the Secretary of State.

A Texas LLC combines features commonly associated with corporations and partnerships. This type of organization, however, exists as a unique entity that can generally limit the liability of members to the amount of money they have invested in the company. Learn about Texas LLC registration below.

Texas LLC Forms and Filing

In order to form a Texas LLC, you will need to file a Form 205 Certificate of Formation for a Limited Liability Company. You should also have a federal tax ID number. incorporate.com can submit both of these Texas LLC filings on your behalf.

Texas LLC Taxes, Fees, and Other Costs

The basic cost of filing for a Texas LLC certificate of formation is $300. This is a flat fee applied to everyone submitting the form. This is a one-time fee and incorporate.com will include that as part of the price for the LLC formation package that you select. Other services provided by the Texas Office of the Secretary of State may cost extra. For instance, if you wish to withdraw from a foreign organization, then you will need to pay a $15 fee to process the Certificate of Withdrawal of Registration. Contact incorporate.com if you need assistance with these Texas LLC filing requirements.

You might also have to pay state, city, and county agencies for licenses and permits specific to your industry. These documents can differ significantly depending on the industry and the size of your organization.

incorporate.com will help you with these steps so that you can avoid the headache of LLC formation and instead focus on running your business.

Operating Agreement for a Texas LLC

While not required by Texas law, it is advisable to have a detailed operating agreement for your Texas LLC. The operating agreement contains detailed information about how the entity will be operated. incorporate.com can provide you with an excellent Texas LLC operating agreement template for you to review and use.

Get Texas Business Licenses

Texas not only has the second largest population of any state in the United States; it also has several thriving industries that attract new businesses every year. Some of the most popular industries in Texas include energy, land development, medical technology, and agriculture. If you want to start a business in this state, then you need to make sure that you have the proper Texas business license.

Getting Started

You can do several things now that will help you complete your Texas business license applications in a timely manner. If you have not yet acquired a tax ID number from the IRS, then you should apply for one as soon as possible. They can be obtained easily through incorporate.com’s web site. Without one, however, you cannot hire employees or file taxes for your business.

You can also decide what kind of business you want to create. There are advantages to owning LLCs, corporations, sole proprietorships, and other types of organizations. It's important to know which one suits your needs best. Visit The Learning Center to learn more.

Which Texas Small Business License Do You Need?

The specific business license that you need in Texas can vary by location and industry. Before you start operating your company in Texas, incorporate.com can help you research and obtain the business licenses you will need.

In many cases, your Texas corporation will need to obtain a city license in addition to any state licenses and permits. Having a state of Texas business license ensures that you can operate according to the state government, but you also need to make sure that you meet all city requirements. Otherwise, you could find that you have unintentionally broken the law, which can lead to severe fines.

Do You Need Additional Texas Business Licenses?

You also need to know what types of Texas small business licenses you need for your industry. A business in the oil industry obviously needs different types of permits and licenses than one in the cattle industry. If your business needs to transport goods and materials over long distances, then you might also need a commercial driver's license.

The situation can vary significant from industry to industry. The situation can become complicated rather quickly. With incorporate.com's experience on your side, you don’t have to worry that you have missed any important license or permit required by state or local governments.

Documents Needed for Your Texas Business License Application

You will find yourself turning to several documents as you fill out your Texas business license application. Having them handy will help you complete the application quickly and correctly. Some of the documents that you might need include:

Your tax ID number

Any insurance policies for your business

Your articles of organization or articles of incorporation

A statement detailing your organization's mission

Your tax ID for selling retail goods

incorporate.com uses these and other documents to make sure that clients get their business license in Texas quickly so they can start generating revenues as soon as possible.